MONTREAL — Quebec Premier Pauline Marois is being accused of political interference after publicly urging “prudence” as a high-profile inquiry into corruption hears startling testimony about how elections in the province have been rigged for decades.

The Charbonneau commission has been dropping bombshells on Quebec’s political class for months, but the accusations that prompted the Parti Quebecois leader’s comments came only after a former PQ transport minister, Guy Chevrette, was singled out by a witness for rigging construction contracts and taking a $100,000 kickback.

Until now, it has been municipal officials in Montreal and provincial Liberal ministers whose activities have been targeted by the Charbonneau probe, which is examining collusion in the construction industry and corruption in politics.

But the commission is now moving into a new domain and it has hit a nerve with the PQ. Delivering the shocking statements about the depths firms have gone to in order to win contracts and win over decision makers is former political organizer Gilles Cloutier, who was hired by a prominent engineering firm because he was so successful at bringing in government work.

Cloutier’s earlier testimony about breaking spending laws during the 1995 campaign against Quebec sovereignty had infuriated separatists. But as his testimony continued, it left Marois’ PQ, which has presented itself as the ethical alternative to Liberal corruption, rattled. That prompted the premier’s statement to reporters after a party meeting Thursday in Quebec City.

“The commission must do its work, but it must be done with prudence,” Marois said.

Her deputy premier, François Gendron said the commission should “be careful” lest the testimony heard at the probe undermine Quebecers’ confidence in all politicians.

“I’m someone that has a name, credibility and I went into politics to fight against what has been described,” he said.

Jacques Duchesneau, a member of the Coalition Avenir Quebec and a former anti-corruption investigator, said Marois’ words of caution sounded more like a threat, while the opposition Liberals asked her to take back her “inacceptable” statement which risks interfering in the commission’s future work.

The PQ government refrained from such cautions last fall when Montreal city hall was being rocked by allegations of mafia activity, illegal party financing and rigged infrastructure contracts. The testimony led to the resignation of mayor Gérald Tremblay in November after he said he was falsely accused of turning a blind eye to campaign overspending.

In the lead-up to the resignation, a chorus of provincial ministers urged Tremblay to reflect on his political future, including Marois. Tremblay bitterly recounted how he spoke to the premier by telephone the Saturday morning before announcing his resignation. There was no support, no caution urged. Just a blunt question in a five-minute telephone call.

“‘Have you finished your reflection?’” Tremblay recalled Marois asking. “After that moment I sat down at the end of the table and I personally wrote the contents of my speech resigning from public life.”

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